The Dell Rapids St Mary Cardinal volleyball team kept their season going in the opening round of the Region 4B tournament on Tuesday, November 3rd. St Mary, the fifth seed in the tournament, traveled to Ethan to play the Rustlers. The Cardinals came home with a straight set win by scores of 25-22, 25-18, and 25-15.
The first set started back-and-forth as neither team was able to get a lead of more than two points. St Mary started to make a run after the score was tied 8-8. The Cardinals scored four in a row for a 12-8 lead, but the Rustlers tied the set again at 13-13. St Mary again got a little run and led 19-15 only to have Ethan once again tie the score at 20-20. The Rustlers kept the momentum going and took a 22-20 lead, but the Cardinals finished the set on a 5-0 run to win 25-22.
That run set the tone for the remainder of the match. St Mary jumped out to an 8-2 lead to start the second set. Ethan got within three points a couple of times, but the Cardinals pushed the lead to 22-13 and took the second set 25-18.
St Mary again got out to an early 6-2 lead to start the third set. Ethan cut the lead down to two points at 15-13, but a well taken timeout by the Cardinals ended any chance at a comeback by the Rustlers. St Mary finished the set on a 10-2 run to 25-15 and take the match.
Courtney Brown had 10 kills, 12 digs, and two blocks on the night. Ella Heinitz finished with 17 set assists, 16 digs, and eight kills. Ella Griffin had nine kills along with eight set assists, 11 digs, and four blocks. Maya Heinitz finished with a team-high four ace serves. She also had five digs and four kills. Macie Brown tallied six digs.
St Mary (10-8) will travel to Chester to play the Flyers on Thursday, November 5th. The winner will advance to the SoDak 16.